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6th seeds hit the bottom conference leader in the playoffs.
This team often has fewer points than the 4th and sometimes 5th and even 6th seed. Moreover, the bottom division leader would have weaker average opponents while earning their points.
For example, last year: The Florida Panthers entered the playoffs as the third seed in the Eastern Conference by winning the Southeast Division with 94 points. The New Jersey Devils earned 102 points during the regular season to finish sixth overall in the Eastern Conference.
With realignment around the corner AND a new playoff format is is fair to give a lower seed an easier ride?
Is it fair for the Panthers to earn fewer points in a weaker division and still have the advantages of a higher seed?
It is true that the Devils won and the better team will presumably win anyway, but a tough road can be a disadvantage in subsequent rounds.
ANYWAY, has anyone done research on these 3rd v 6th matchups? Any empirical stuff?
6th Do you mean the 3rd seed? seeds hit the bottom conference leader in the playoffs.
This team often has fewer points than the 4th and sometimes 5th and even 6th seed. Moreover, the bottom division leader would have weaker average opponents while earning their points.
He means that the 6th seed gets to play a team that is ranked 3rd because of winning it's division but really should be lower. Hence that 6th seed gets an ''easier'' match-up then say the 4th or 5th.
He didn't offer any solutions though, he just stated that it was good for the devils last year.
The NBA's solution is that the best non-division winner is ranked solely according to their record. So if there is an exceptionally weak division winner, they will be seeded 4th. Also, home court is determined based on record, not seeding, so the 5th-seed team would have home court in that situation playing against a weak division winner. Effectively, the 5th seed becomes a de facto 4th seed.
The NBA's solution is that the best non-division winner is ranked solely according to their record. So if there is an exceptionally weak division winner, they will be seeded 4th. Also, home court is determined based on record, not seeding, so the 5th-seed team would have home court in that situation playing against a weak division winner. Effectively, the 5th seed becomes a de facto 4th seed.
